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Program helps students’ transition to university
September 9, 2004 | ||||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—Getting the four-year degree required for many professions “is the most important thing you can do at this time in your life,” IU Kokomo junior James Miller of Kokomo told participants in the campus’ Lumina Summer Transition Program. Just slightly older than the recent high school graduates he was mentoring, Miller told them of his “shaky first year” on campus and how he improved his study habits and grades with guidance from faculty and tutors. Aimed at avoiding just such shaky starts, the six-week transition program let participants complete 6 credit hours of courses, while bolstering their academic skills and confidence. It was the first of two such summer programs, funded through a $100,000 grant from the Lumina Foundation for Education. Amanda Ruble of Miami said the program’s group study time and tips on taking notes helped her understand class materials. “If I don’t know something, I know I can ask other people to give examples,” she said. “I was nervous about doing college course work,” said Tyrone Gray of Kokomo. “It seems more achievable now.” Information Technology staffer Lisa Schunk taught computer skills to the Lumina students, and Lecturer in Folklore Sue Ridlen, Ph.D., led an abbreviated Freshman Seminar, titled “Folklore, Legend, and Film.” The latter previewed the yearlong Freshmen Seminars, prerequisite courses in reading, writing, and public speaking offered to all IU Kokomo freshmen. Nakia Brigham of Kokomo remembered Ridlen, Schunk and Lumina Program Coordinator Carol Garber persistent stress on self-discipline. “They bugged us to complete school work and to be on time for classes,” Brigham said. “But, I liked getting the early credits and knowing I have mentors I can count on.” All 13 Lumina participants had completed the Twenty-first Century Scholars program, a state-run effort with a regional office at IU Kokomo. Twenty-first Century Scholars works with income-eligible students in grades 7 through 12 to prepare them for high school graduation and further education. Students who successfully complete the program are eligible to receive up to four years’ tuition at any public, private, or vocational college or university in Indiana. Ten of the Lumina participants enrolled at IU Kokomo; the three who chose other schools are considering taking summer classes here in 2005, said Carol Garber. “That shows the level of comfort they have on campus from the transition program,” she said. Diana McGuire of Windfall witnessed the growth of her daughter Christa’s confidence, as the 18-year-old progressed through Lumina. “Christa is shy and going to college was a stressor for her,” McGuire said. “She came out of Lumina with new friends and a very positive outlook on college life. “The professors were great. They and Carol were very available to provide answers if Christa had questions,” McGuire added. “I don’t think there is anyone who has student interest more at heart than Carol Garber,” said Sue Ridlen. Garber recruited each of the Lumina students, and individually counseled them through academic and personal roadblocks, Ridlen said. “Carol went the mile with each of these students, if not 10 miles.” Ridlen and Garber have worked together in new student preparedness programs at IU Kokomo for 10 years, including Summer Success from 1994–1999 and Project Success from 1999–2003. The 400 participants in those programs “have done better and stayed longer [in college] because they were better prepared,” Ridlen said. The major accomplishment for the Lumina students was learning to “be responsible for their own success” in college, Ridlen said. “They know they can’t blame anybody else if they don’t go to class or take good notes and study for tests.” For information on the 2005 Lumina Summer Transition Program, contact Garber at (765) 455-9258 or e-mail cagarber@iuk.edu. To learn more about the Twenty-first Century Scholars program at Kokomo, call (765) 455-9533 or visit www.scholars.in.gov.
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